Using Larvae to Convert Food Waste into Animal Feed

JM Green uses fly larvae in its treatment technology to convert food waste into nutritious animal feeds and organic fertilizers, reducing the need to trawl for fish as a source of protein.

Published by

Apr 3. 2017

Using black soldier flies, JM Green turns food and organic waste into a nutrient-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer. Food waste is collected, automatically sorted and crushed before being put into large containers filled with black soldier fly larvae. The larvae consume and process the organic waste, after which the larvae are separated from the residuals, to be sterilized, washed and packaged. The larvae are sold as high-protein animal feed, presenting a viable alternative to conventional animal and fish proteins typically used in feed for poultry and fish farming.

China produces 60 million tons of food waste every year, equivalent to the food requirements of 200 million people. According to JM Green, their technology can convert 100 tons of organic waste into 20 tons of larvae and 40 tons of fertilizer. The company was processed 150 tons of organic waste per day in 2016.

Why you should care

Statistics show that 30 to 50% of the world’s annual food production is wasted, while the global fishing fleet is two to three times larger than the oceans can sustainably support. A significant portion of the proteins used in livestock and fish farming feeds come from trawled fish. This solution helps address food waste and overfishing by growing highly nutritious insect protein from food waste, which is then used in the livestock and fish feed market.

HOW THE GLOBAL GOALS ARE ADDRESSED

Sustainable cities and communities

Cities that incorporate this solution into their organic waste processing strategies will be making full and productive use of their currently untapped resource of organic food waste.

Responsible consumption and production

Instead of paying for the removal and disposal of food waste, organizations in the food sector are instead provided with a new revenue stream from the sale of fertilizer and animal feed.

Life below water

Growing insect proteins from food waste to create livestock and fish feed can replace a significant portion of the proteins currently sourced for the same purpose from trawling the world’s oceans.

GLOBAL GOALS ADDRESSED

Cities that incorporate this solution into their organic waste processing strategies will be making full and productive use of their currently untapped resource of organic food waste.

Instead of paying for the removal and disposal of food waste, organizations in the food sector are instead provided with a new revenue stream from the sale of fertilizer and animal feed.

Growing insect proteins from food waste to create livestock and fish feed can replace a significant portion of the proteins currently sourced for the same purpose from trawling the world’s oceans.